How to Start a Small Business  

This workshop will introduce you to the “nuts and bolts” of starting your own small business. You will explore the feasibility of your business idea and learn the basics of registering a business, choosing a legal form of business ownership, filing proper permits and licenses, and evaluating your financial options.

 This workshop is Free of charge and presented by Robin Lasher, Director of the Navarro College Small Business Development Center.

Writing a Winning Business Plan

Starting a business without a plan is like going on a trip without a map. A business plan helps you start, build and manage your business. Learn why a business plan is critical to your success, especially if you need a loan or an investor for your business. This workshop will explain the general format, the sections of a business plan, and what information is required for each section. The cost of this workshop is $20.00 and presented by Robin Lasher, Director of the Navarro College Small Business Development Center.

Creating an Employee Handbook

Has your small business moved to the next level?  Has it gone from a one man/woman shop to needing employees?  If so ten it is time to get some policies and procedures in place.  We can help you with creating a basic employee handbook geared toward the small business that has made that jump!

Take home a free CD of sample policies that allow you to begin the somewhat time intensive process of creating an employee handbook that will protect your small business.  Policies and forms on the CD include:  I-9 form for new hires, employee handbook received form, notice of discharge or termination of employee form, pay agreements, smoking policy, company vehicle drive policy, job offer letter, personnel files policy, attendance policy, drug and alcohol use policy, vacation and sick leave policy, helpful checklists and more!

Our instructor will be Astrid Gully.  As a staff member consultant and instructor with the Technology Assistance Small Business Development Center (TASBDC), Ms. Gully counsels and trains small business owners on the benefits of developing Drug Free Workplace Programs.

The Cost of this workshop is $25.00 and is sponsored by the Navarro College SBDC, which is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

Understanding Copyrights & Patents

This is an overview of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.  Learn how to secure the optimal type of protection for your needs.  Topics include patent and trademark searching, cost effective option for protecting intellectual property, licensing, provisional patents and more.

Our speaker will be Larry Hamilton of the North Texas Small Business Development Technology Assistance Center in Dallas.  Mr. Hamilton holds a Masters of Science Degree in Business, Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and has taught strategic market, B2B and B2C marketing for seven years at the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management MBA program.

The cost of this seminar is $20.00 and is sponsored by the Navarro College SBDC which is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

How To Get Government Contracts

The government contracting process at the federal, state and local level is simple.  Your keys to success are in understanding the unique aspects, and how much help is available to you.  Our instructor removes the intimidation factor, confusion and complexity and shows you how to succeed in government contracting.  Begin building your business base and get high quality, professional help while doing it.  Learn how the SBA 8 (a) program assists socio-economically disadvantaged businesses acquire government agency contracts, and how to become eligible during this workshop, we will show you how to complete the Central Contractor Registration and obtain as a minimum, a confirmation number.

Our speaker is George Kitamura from the Center for Government Contracting of the North Texas SBDC.  His organization assists small business in 49 counties in obtaining contracts, with federal, state, and local government agencies.  He will be available for 2 hours after the presentation for FREE counseling!

This is a practical and realistic program for managers, owners, purchasing and contracting professional.  The cost of this workshop is $25.00 This workshop is sponsored  by the Navarro College SBDC in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Sales Tax Workshop-Knowing Your Responsibilities

What’s taxable, what’s not? Whether you’re already in business or just getting started, this workshop will demystify your sales tax responsibilities.  This workshop is Free of charge and  is presented by Ms. Deborah Sullivan, who has been employed with the State Comptroller since 1991. She currently works in the Waco Enforcement office assisting taxpayers with information on all state tax questions and filing of reports. Topics covered in this seminar include:

·                        Seller & purchaser’s responsibilities

·                        Records required

·                        Accounting methods

·                        Auditing taxpayers’ records

·                        Sales for resale

·                        Exemptions

·                        Paying Use Tax

·                        Successor liability

·                        Completion of sales tax report and Guidelines for allocating local sales tax

·                        Overview of Window on State Government website

Ms. Sullivan will also answer questions, so bring all of your questions concerning tax rules, updates, forms, and procedures.